Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

You need to buy tickets for Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens in advance online; it’s a sizable zoo, so plan to spend around four hours here, especially if you have little ones who want to experience the playground and splash pad. This award-winning zoo is divided into 10 areas ranging from Land of the Tiger and Wild Florida to the African Loop and Giraffe Overlook. The layout loops around the park, allowing you to see or pass each exhibit as desired.

• The Splash Ground area is closed from late fall to late spring months.

• You must buy a Total Experience ticket to ride the train and carousel, see animal feedings, and visit the 4-D theater.

• The zoo is cashless; you can pay by card or contactless.

Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is at 370 Zoo Parkway, 8 miles (13 kilometers) north of downtown Jacksonville. It’s an easy drive by car, cab, or rideshare via Interstate 95 to Zoo Parkway. The number 1 bus line of the JTA bus system also stops at the zoo.

Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is open weekly from morning until late afternoon throughout the year. While you can enter until 4:30pm, it’s best to arrive as early as possible. Visiting earlier in the day increases the chances of seeing more active animals due to the cooler temperatures and morning feeding times.

Just north of the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is the Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary, a non-profit sanctuary for rescued exotic cats. Along with tigers, leopards, cougars, and lions, the sanctuary also has foxes, coatimundis, and other animals. Facility tours, animal care tours, and feeding tours are all available.